Get ready for a rollicking, hilarious, heartwarming length-of-the-country-road-trip….
Pork Pie is coming!
Kiwis get their first peek at the accidental outlaws better known as the Blondini Gang today, with the launch of the official trailer for the film.
Pork Pie is an action-packed reimagining of the iconic 1981 kiwi classic, Goodbye Pork Pie and stars Dean O’Gorman (The Hobbit, Trumbo, The Almighty Johnsons), James Rolleston (Boy, The Dark Horse) and Ashleigh Cummings (Puberty Blues,Tomorrow When the War Began). The reboot is set to charge into cinemas around the country on Waitangi Weekend, February 2nd 2017, with the dating playing homage to original film (which was released on Waitangi Day in 1981).
Making remarkable progress from his recent injuries, James Rolleston, who plays Luke Anahera, is super-excited for kiwi audiences to see the finished product and is confident that it’s destined to create a whole new generation of Pork Pie fans.
“I had the most fun of my career making this film," says Rolleston. “It was great to be involved in a real kiwi comedy with Dean and Ash, and I reckon kiwis are going to love it! I can’t wait to share it with my friends and family and the wider public of Aotearoa.”
Dean O’Gorman, who plays Jon, a failing writer desperate to win back the love of his life, describes being involved in the project a career highlight.
“I spent almost six weeks in a MINI Cooper with James Rolleston driving the length of the country and it was hands down one of the best filming experiences I have ever had” says O’Gorman. “It was incredible to meet a whole bunch of New Zealanders right across the country and hear their affection for the original and excitement for what we were going to do with it.”
True to its original roots, the 2016 production of Pork Pie was a family affair. The film was written and directed by Matt Murphy, son of the director of the original film’s director, Geoff Murphy. Adding to the family connection, Matt’s brother, Miles Murphy, was the second unit director; his sister Robin was the Location Manager; and his daughter, Saoirse was a costume assistant. Bruno Lawrence’s daughters Veronique and Melissa were script supervisors and his granddaughter Lily worked in the art department.
Director Matt Murphy is thrilled with the finished product.
"I'm really proud of what we've achieved," says Murphy. "I think we've succeeded in harnessing the spirit of Dad's film while delivering some great entertainment for a new generation. We've made our own road to Invers with this film, but theres no mistaking it's from the same family as the original".
Pork Pie Producer Tom Hern, (The Dark Horse) is excited to show the film to audiences:
“It’s a cracker of a roadie!” says Hern. “It’s got the thrills and spills of course, but it also has a big underdog heartbeat driving it forward. I can’t wait to share the film with audiences both at home and around the world.”
Studiocanal's Paris based President, International Marketing and Distribution for Films, Library and TV Series Rodolphe Buet is thrilled that Studiocanal will distribute Pork Pie to cinemas around New Zealand.
“Studiocanal is passionate about delivering quality local stories and committed to supporting remarkable local talent,” says Buet. “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work on an iconic film which appeals to a wider New Zealand audience which will bring fond memories and fun to the local cinemas.”
Pork Pie is a Four Knights Film production in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZ On Air, Southern Light Films, Treehouse Films, Random Films, Park Road Post Production, Fulcrum Media Finance and Augusto. Executive producers on the film are Timothy White, Alan Harris and Tim Wood.
Studiocanal is a subsidiary of CANAL+ Group. It is one of Europe’s leading companies in the market for co-production, acquisition and distribution of international feature films and TV series. Studiocanal is behind box office hits like Paddington, Shaun the Sheep and Non-Stop. It is the only studio operating simultaneously in the three main European territories – France, the United Kingdom and Germany – as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Studiocanal owns one of the most important libraries in the world, with more than 5,000 international titles.